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Cellucci was elected lieutenant governor in 1990 and became acting governor in 1997 when his predecessor, William Weld, resigned to pursue an ambassadorship. Cellucci won election as governor in his own right in 1998. He later served as U.S. ambassador to Canada.

He was a typically moderate New England Republican, fiscally conservative yet middle of the road on many social issues.

Former Republican Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney wrote a message from him and his wife on Twitter on Saturday about Cellucci's passing: "@AnnDRomney and I are saddened by the loss of our friend Gov. Paul Cellucci. Our hearts and prayers are w/ Jan and the Cellucci family."

The university says the UMass ALS Champion Fund raised nearly $2 million under Cellucci's leadership.